Adjustable spindle for supporting cloth rolls



J. NlsENsoN 3,113,744

ADJUSTABLE SPINDLE Foa SUPPORTING cLoTH RoLLs Dec. 10, 1963 Filed May 25, 1962 mw R n @mw United States Patent Oli ice 3,1 lilit- ,L'Datented Bec. 10, 163

3,113,744 ADJUSTABLE SPINDLE FOR SUPPGRTING CLOTH ROLLS Jules Niscnson, Rye, NX., assigner to Cutting Room Appliances Corp., New Yorlt, N .Y., a corporation of New York Filed May 2S, 1962, Ser. No. 197,736 2 Claims. (Cl. 242-72) This invention relates generally to the field of rollsupporting spindles, and Imore particularly to an improved form thereof in which the effective outer diameter is ra.- dially expandable, much in .the manner of an adjustablediameter mandrel. While the invention has applications in many fields, it is particularly suitable for use as a cloth roll support of la type widely used in cloth laying devices adapted to tnansver-sely move over a cloth laying table to deposit successive layers `of cloth prior to cutting of `the same.

ln devices of this type, it is desirable that the cloth be laid in 1an even manner, in which the edges of each successive layer 'will coincide with those of layers disposed immediately therebeneath. Where the roll of cloth supported by the carriage of such a device is of 'a diameter other than the internal diameter of the roll, a certain amount of movement about an axis perpendicular to that of the axis of rotation will occur las rotation progresses, resulting in the dispensing of cloth from the rol-l in a direction other than exactly normal to the axis of rotation of the spindle. This will result in uneven cloth distribution as the web of cloth proceeds past the cloth distributing rollers.

it is therefore among the p-rin-icpal objects of the presen-t invention to provide a spindle of the class described in which the effective outer diameter thereof is adjustable to accommodate varying internal diameters of elo-th rolls.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of an improved adjustable spindle in which the adjustment Imay be performed aiter the cloth roll has been engaged thereupon, thereby facilitating the initial placement of the roll jupon tlie spindle when the eilective external dimeter is of lesser value, `and the `subsequent expansion of the spindle to engage the inner :surface of the same.

Still another object of the invention lies in the provision of an expandable spindle of the type described in which the expanding portions thereof include a resilient component, whereby the ladjustment of the spindle with respect to the cloth trol-l need not be critical.

Yet a fumther object of the invention lies in the provision of an improved adjustable spindle possessed of the labove advantages, in which the cost of fabrication may be of a reasonably low order, with consequent Wide sale, distribution and use.

A feature of the invention lies in the fact Ithat adjustment of the spindle is a simple manual operation, not requiring the use of ltools.

rThese objects and features, las well as other incidental ends and advantages, will more fully appear in the progress of the following disclosure, and be pointed out in the appended claims.

in the drawing, to which reference will be ymade in the specication, similar reference characters have been employed to designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FGURE l is a fragmentary view in elevation, partly in section, of an embodiment of the invention.

FEGURE 2 is la ragmentary enlarged central longitudinal sectional View, partly broken away to show detail, corresponding to the right-hand portion of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary central longitudinal sectional View showing one of the adjustable collet elements comprising la part of the embodiment.

FIGURE 4 is `a transverse sectional View las seen from the plane 4-4 in FIGURE `l.

ln accordance with the invention, the device, generally indicated by reference character it?, comprises: an outer tube element il, lan inner tube element l2, a threaded stud element 13, a plurality of movable collet elements 1X4, a plurality of fixed collet elements l5, a plurality of elongated spning members 16, and a sleeve element 17.

The outer tube element lll may be formed of any suitable .metallic material, preferably a material including the qualities of relatively high strength and rela-.tively low weight. It is cylindrical in conguration, and is bounded by an outer surface Z9, an inner surface 2l, as well as iirst land second end surfaces 22 and :23, respectively. Extending between the inner yand outer surfaces 21 and 2l) re coaxially aligned slots 24 and 25, there being one pair of slots id -ZS for each movable collet element 14.

The inner tube yelement l2 is also of cylindrical configuration, and is bounded by `an outer surface 28, an inner surface 29, which is 'at least partially `threaded at 39a, and rst and second end surfaces 39 and 31, respectively. A plurality of aligned bores 32 and 33 are positioned to 'correspond to the slots 24 and 25, :and are engaged by pintles 312- preferably torce fitted. The pintles are of length suiiicient to extend outwardly of Ithe slots 24 `and 25, and engage the movable collet elements lll.

The threaded stud element t3 includes a shaft 37 having a hand wheel or adjusting knob 3b on `the outer end thereof. The threaded member 39 engages the threaded portion 2% of the inner tube element 12 to impart motion thereto. The outer surface of the shaft 37 is provided with la suitable `anti-friction bearing dit capable `of withstanding :thrust when the device has been expanded to resiliently engage a cloth roll, generally indicated by reference character 4l.

The movable col-let elements i4 are substantially similar, land accordingly a detailed description of one of said elements will serve to describe tall. Each includes a cylindrical member 4d bounded by end surfaces 45 `and 4d, an outer surface 47 and an inner surface i3 corresponding in `diameter to the outer surface Eil of the outer mbe element ill. Extending transversely with respect to the principal axis of the element 14 'are aligned bores i9 and 5l) which are engaged by the pintles 34 for the transmission yof imo-tion therethrough. A rabbeted surface Si supports a cylindrical collar 52 tto retain the spring members 16 therebetween.

The xed collet elements l5 are also substantially similar, each including a 4cylindrical member 5S bounded by end surfaces 56 and 57, `an outer surface 58, tand an inner surface 59. Extending ltranversely between the outer surace 58 yand inner surface S9 is `a threaded bore 6@ engaged by a 'set `screw 6l, the inner end of which bears upon the outer suriace 2li of the outer tube element ll. A rabbeted sui ace eil supports a cylindrical collar 63.

The `spring members le are of an elongated llat type, and preferably three or more in number for each pair of movable and fixed collet elements 14- and l5. 'l'lhe spring elements each include rst `and second ends 66 vand 67 at the terminals of a bowed arcuate portion d8, :and are engaged beneath the collars 52 and 63 as best seen in FlGURE 3 in the drawing.

The sleeve element 17 is engaged upon one end of the outer tube element 1l, and preferably adjacent the hand Wheel tor knob '33. lt includes an inner surface 72, an outer surface 73 tand a circular groove 74 permitting the engagement of the spindle with -a corresponding means (not shown) for preventing axial @movement of the device when in use, as is well-known in the art. The sleeve element 17 is preferably secured in position by means of a set screw 75.

ln mounting la cloth roll 4l upon the spindle for rotation, the knob 38 is `fir-st rotated with respect to Ithe sleeve element 17 in a idirection tending to rnove the movable collet elements 14 leftwardly as seen in FiGURES 1 and 3, wherein the spring members 16 are moved to a loloser position with respect -to the outer surface Ztl. `ln suon position, the roll 41 may be easily slid from the leftwardrnost end (FIGURE l) to tlie desired axial position. Upon the rotating, of the knob 33 in an opposite direction, the inner tube ele-ment i12 moves rightwardly as seen in FIGURE 2, resulting in transmitting motion through the pint-les 34 `and shitting the movable coilet elements 14 rightvvardly to bow the spring members 16 wherein the outer IsLu-lfaees thereof will exert e resilient force .against :the inner surface of the olotliroll 41. Continued tightening movement will, within reasonable limits, not damage either :the spindle or the cloth roll, but will rnerely result in exerting ymore resilient force against the cloth roll i1 to firmly grip the same.

I Wish it to 'be understood that I do not Iconsider the invention limited to the preoise `details of structure shown and set forth in this speoiiioaztion, for obvious moditieations will oceur to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains.

I ol'aiin:

1. in an :adjustable spindle for supporting a roll of web matenial thereon, `an outer hollow turbe element, an inner tulbe element slidably `disposed within said outer tube element `and having alhollow, at least partially threaded, bore therein, means for adjustably axially shifting said inner itu-be element with respect to seid outer tube element, la plurality of first collet elements fixed upon the outer sur- `face of said outer tube element, and a plurality of second collet elements slidably supported on said outer tube element for `axial movement therealong, `means interconmeeting said lsecond collet elements and said inner tube element for coextensive movement, and a plvunality of elongated expandable spring elements interconnecting said first and second collet elements and overlying said outer tube element; whereby relative movement between seid first tand second 'collet elements may serve to enlarge the effective diameter of said outer tube element at la plurality of areas spaced along said outer tulbe element to a substantially egual degree.

2. in en adjustable spindle for supporting a roll of web material oiereon, an outer hollow tube ele-ment, an inner tube element slidably dis-posed Within said outer tube eleinent and having `a hollow, at least partially threaded, bore therein, means for adjustiaibiy axially shift1 ing said inner tube element `with respect to said outer tube element, `a plurality of first collet elements fixed upon the outer surface of said outer tube element, and a plurality of second coilllet elements slidably supported on said outer tube element for laxial movement therealong, means interconnecting said second collet e entente end said inner tube element rfor coextensive movement, eaoh of the adjacently positioned first and second `collet elements having a plurality or expandable `spring elements disposed therebetween fat substantially equally spiace-d angular internals on the outer surface of said outer Itube element; lwhereby relative movement between `said first and second collet elements may serve to enlange the effective diameter of said outer tube element et la plurality of areas spaced along said outer tube element to a substantially equal degree.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNiTEl) STATES PATENTS 459,323 Tomlinson Apr. `14, 1891 1,657,569 Fennell Jan. 3l, 1928 2,073,429 Spiober Mer. 9, 1937 2,626,811 Holiwert et al. Jan. 27, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 743,337 Germany Dec. 23, 1943 

1. IN AN ADJUSTABLE SPINDLE FOR SUPPORTING A ROLL OF WEB MATERIAL THEREON, AN OUTER HOLLOW TUBE ELEMENT, AN INNER TUBE ELEMENT SLIDABLY DISPOSED WITHIN SAID OUTER TUBE ELEMENT AND HAVING A HOLLOW, AT LEAST PARTIALLY THREADED, BORE THEREIN, MEANS FOR ADJUSTABLY AXIALLY SHIFTING SAID INNER TUBE ELEMENT WITH RESPECT TO SAID OUTER TUBE ELEMENT, A PLURALITY OF FIRST COLLECT ELEMENTS FIXED UPON THE OUTER SURFACE OF SAID OUTER TUBE ELEMENT, AND A PLURALITY OF SECOND COLLET ELEMENTS SLIDABLY SUPPORTED ON SAID OUTER TUBE ELEMENT FOR AXIAL MOVEMENT THEREALONG, MEANS INTERCONNECTING SAID SECOND COLLET ELEMENTS AND SAID INNER TUBE ELEMENT FOR COEXTENSIVE MOVEMENT, AND A PLURALITY OF ELONGATED EXPANDABLE SPRING ELEMENTS INTERCONNECTING SAID FIRST AND SECOND COLLET ELEMENTS AND OVERLYING SAID OUTER TUBE ELEMENT; WHEREBY RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN SAID FIRST AND SECOND COLLET ELEMENTS MAY SERVE TO ENLARGE THE EFFECTIVE DIAMETER OF SAID OUTER TUBE ELEMENT AT A PLURALITY OF AREAS SPACED ALONG SAID OUTER TUBE ELEMENT TO A SUBSTANTIALLY EQUAL DEGREE. 